Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 16, 2011
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties,
Illinois met in regular session on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Administration Building – 410
West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920
At 6:30 p.m., President Coe called the meeting to order and asked for roll call.
The following board members were present:
Jason Coe, President
Ron Miller, Vice President
Tim Hutti, Secretary
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
Brenda Coffey
Susan Daniels
The following board member was absent:
Scott Clarke
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant
The following staff member was absent:
Todd Vilardo
Visitors 93 and 1 Member of the Press
President Coe asked if there were any requests or written communications to the Board of Education.
There were no requests received.
Mr. Littleford complimented the artwork provided by the 7th grade art students from Charleston Middle
School. Toni Satterfield is the art instructor.
Jefferson & Ashmore Elementary School Students
The Character Education students were chosen by their teachers representing the trait of Ingenuity.
Ingenuity….a student who is creative, thinks outside the box, is resourceful, inventive, a problem solver,
is not deterred by failure but keeps looking for new answers. Roxanne Cornebise, Counselor is in charge
of the program.
4th GradeChase Bosler
Rainer FullerMoore
Ethan Hadley
Madison Colman
Noah Oakley
Caleb Limes
Leela Hoerschelmann
Timothy Ratliff (Ashmore)
5th GradeTim Cho
Tanner Lassak
Laurel Swenson Hultz
Maya Caltry
Danika Hargett
Christian Wilson
Robert Rardin
Matthew Mueller
6th GradeLogan Chaney
Cam McDonald
Garrett Porter
Matthew Hallowell
Katy Stokes
Ian Overstreet
Jesse Traylor
Hannah Killough
6th grade students: Ethan Robison & Jacob Bishop (Trait of Respect). Not able to attend the October
board meeting due to band practice.
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page1
CMS Baseball Team for advancing to the 2011 State Tournament. The baseball team defeated Danville
Southview (1-0) in the Sectional Final to advance to State Tournament in East Peoria. This was the
second time in school history that the baseball team has qualified for the State Tournament. Coach: Jon
Hanner and Assistant Coach: Blaine Mayhall. Baseball team members in attendance: Devin Carver,
Justin Wilson, Wyatt Garrett, Ben Sweeney, Nick Braden, Cole Keller, Sam Gubbins, Richard Whitaker,
Blaine Crews, Grayson Gough, Wyatt Reed, Ryan Chambers, Brock Esarey, Nick Agan, Dawson
Armstrong, Mason McGahey, Kendal Elliott, and Jordan Gutierrez.
Mr. Littleford acknowledged the EIU Journalism Class in attendance.
Mr. Littleford reviewed the items under Consent Agenda.
IV. Consent Agenda: Standard Items
A. Approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of October 19, 2011.
B. Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of October 2011.
C. Approve the Activity Fund Accounts for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending
October 2011.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
A. Approve submission of the Illinois Capital Development Board Early Childhood Construction
grant utilizing facility draft option #1.
B. Approve an additional section in the Early Childhood Special Education program at Mark Twain
Elementary School, effective October 31, 2011 for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.
C. Approve submission of the FY2012 School Library Per Capita Grant Program application to the
Office of the Secretary of State.
D. Adopt a Letter of Understanding between the Charleston Educational Support Professional
Association, IEA/NEA and Charleston Board of Education on how employees will be notified on
future job vacancies.
VII. Consent Agenda: Employment
Grant a family medical leave to Hayley Pearce, paraprofessional at Ashmore Elementary School,
not to exceed 12 weeks.
Grant a family medical leave to Shelly Hamilton, paraprofessional at Mark Twain Elementary
School, not to exceed 12 weeks.
Accept a letter of retirement from Kathy Havey, Kindergarten teacher at Mark Twain Elementary
School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Retirement is subject to the provisions of
district policies and state law.
Increase the employment of Amanda Denler, Early Childhood teacher at Mark Twain Elementary
School to full time status, effective October 31, 2011.
Approve the transfer of Jinger Lawrence from her current paraprofessional position into a Title 1
paraprofessional position at Ashmore Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for the
remainder of the 2011-12 school year. This employment is contingent upon continued funding
through the Title 1 Federal Grant.
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page2
Approve the transfer of Debbie Gillespie from her current paraprofessional position into a Title 1
paraprofessional position at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for
the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. This employment is contingent upon continued
funding through the Title 1 Federal Grant.
Approve the transfer of Megan Kuhn from Carl Sandburg Elementary School into a full time
paraprofessional position for student #18792 and student #21971 at Mark Twain Elementary
School, effective October 31, 2011.
Approve the transfer of DruAnne Bardsley from her current paraprofessional position into a Title
1 paraprofessional position at Mark Twain Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for
the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. This employment is contingent upon continued
funding through the Title 1 Federal Grant.
Approve the employment of Shane Phebus as a full time paraprofessional at Charleston Middle
School, effective October 31, 2011. Employment contingent upon the continued educational
needs of the student and receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Diana Veach as a full time Title 1 paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg
Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.
Employment contingent upon continued funding through the Title 1 Federal Grant and receipt of
all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Laura Leffler as a full time Title 1 paraprofessional at Jefferson
Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.
Employment contingent upon continued funding through the Title 1 Federal Grant and receipt of
all information required for employment.
Approve the recommendation for the following people to serve as volunteer coaches for the
Boys’ Basketball team at Charleston Middle School during the 2011-12 school year:
Daniel Bennett
Nick Teich
Wade Hennig
Approve the list of substitutes/volunteers for Community Unit School District No. 1, effective
October 12 – November 7, 2011.
Addendum
Approve the employment of Michelle Neal as a full time paraprofessional at Mark Twain
Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.
Employment contingent upon continued educational needs of the students and receipt of all
information required for employment.
President Coe asked if there were any requests from the Board of Education to remove any of the consent
agenda items or addendum items for discussion. Hearing none, President Coe recommended that the
Board of Education approve items under III through VI inclusive on the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Miller
moved and Mrs. Coffey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Coffey, Daniels, R. Miller, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page3
Under the Superintendent’s Report:
Presentation/Tactical Planning – Board of Education Intentions of Future Bond Schedule
At the October 19, 2011 meeting, Superintendent Jim Littleford provided information on tactical planning
meetings held with the Central Office Administrative Team to evaluate the current District Health/Life
Safety 10-Year Survey, Health/Life Safety projects, Bond Schedule, and Bond Levy. During the meeting,
Mr. Littleford provided a list of work that need completed to include roof repairs at nearly every building
in the district as well as security features, heating units, and more.
In order to provide additional planning information for potential District projects, Mr. Littleford invited
Kevin Heid of First Mid-State, Inc., Investment Bankers of Bloomington to review the Districts’
outstanding bond schedule, provide information on the debt limit, potential bonding capacity, and debt
service extension base.
Mr. Heid explained that bonds issued for health/life safety projects, the type that could pay for the repairs
are not subject to referendum requirements of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law often called tax
caps, as long as the district’s bond payment tax rate is not any higher. He reported that the current bond
schedule expires in 2014-15, which would mean new borrowing could be possible for the district and
commended the Board of starting to think about it now because of the timing involved. Also, there could
be other possible funding routes the district might consider to take care of needed repairs. A possibility
could be another try for another referendum on a county school sales tax that voters defeated last year.
Through a power point presentation, Mr. Heid outlined how tax caps affect bond issues, what are Health
Life-Safety projects, how are funds obtained to complete Health Life-Safety projects, how are Health
Life-Safety bonds issued/retired, potential bonding capacity, and how a bond issue affects the tax rate,
(presentation included in official board book).
Mr. Heid reported that with the amount the district has to pay this year and next year on older bonds
means there is no room for any new bonds at this time. However, in 2013 the district would have just
more than $186,000 available for a new bond payment and that would increase to nearly $2.3 million a
year after that. The district’ tax rate will decrease for some time, regardless. Mr. Heid reviewed the
process that would need to be followed by the Board of Education.
As planning continues on these issues, Mr. Littleford indicated that it is vital for the Board of Education
to provide feedback regarding the continuance of a Bond Levy when the current Bond Schedule expires in
2014-15. New bonds could fund repair projects that fall into Health Life-Safety requirements.
Following the presentation and after all questions were answered, Mr. Littleford thanked Mr. Heid for
attending.
2011 Girls’ Holiday Tournament Update
CHS Athletic Director Liz Watson provided an update summarizing preparation for the Girls’ Basketball
Holiday Tournament to be held on December 28, 29 and 30 in Baker Gymnasium at Charleston High
School. The tournament would be the same format as last year. She stated that the Trojan Booster club is
sponsoring the tournament and has asked over 75 businesses for sponsors.
Mr. Littleford reiterated that there is no cost to the District in hosting this tournament. Any incurred costs
will be to the Trojan Booster Club.
The Boys’ Holiday tournament will be held in Taylorville.
2012-2013 CUSD #1 Budget Calendar
Financial Consultant, David Kuetemeyer presented the Budget Calendar for the 2012-2013 school
year.
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page4
Addendum
Early Start Dates for 2012-2013 School Calendar
The District Calendar Committee met on Thursday, November 10th. Mr. Littleford reported that
information discussed during the meeting included Calendar Committee procedure, Parent/Teacher
Conferences, Board of Education parameters, ISBE guidelines, holidays, and draft calendars. Following a
lengthy discussion among the calendar committee, it was noted the late start calendars make the first and
second semesters attendance days extremely disproportionate. The committee asked Mr. Littleford to
speak with the Board regarding flexibility to prepare draft calendars with beginning start dates the week
prior to the August 13th earliest beginning date.
Following discussion among the Board of Education and administration, it was the consensus of the
Board not to change the parameters approved at the October 19, 2011 meeting.
Mrs. Daniels moved and Mr. Miller seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by
the Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Daniels, R. Miller, Coffey, K. Miller, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Moving to New Business:
Contract Renewal/Third Party Administrator - CUSD #1 Health Benefits Program
Mr. Littleford reported that the district’s health insurance program operates as an Insurance Trust. The
district insurance trust employs a Third Party Administrator (TPA) under a contract that runs from
January 1 to December 31. Insurance Consultant Steve Bushue of Bushue Human Resources met with
the CUSD #1 Health Insurance Committee on October 31 to summarize the renewal proposal from the
current TPA, Personal Care, and to discuss the plan design changes required by the Health Care Reform
Act.
Mr. Bushue was in attendance and outlined the consensus of the Insurance Committee as follows:
1. Recommends the board renew on a self-insured basis with TPA and Reinsurance carrier Personal
Care for the Group Health and Dental Insurance Plan for 2012 calendar year.
2. Recommends maintaining the current plan design and premium contribution levels for the 2012
calendar year as referenced in the attached plan options.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the recommendations
of Steve Bushue of Bushue Human Resources, Inc. and the CUSD #1 Health Insurance Committee,
effective January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Mr. Miller moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the
motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: R. Miller, K. Miller, Daniels, Coffey, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Purchase/Student Information System
Technology Director Mary Ann Pattenaude, with the help of district administrators formed a committee to
pursue options for purchase of a new Student Information System. The committee consisted of 43
members and represented all buildings as well as the various positions: teachers, building administrators,
Central Office staff, secretaries, nurses, and counselors. Three companies came to the district and
presented: MMS, Skyward, and PowerSchool. With the committee’s input, it was narrowed down to two
companies, Skyward and PowerSchool. Site visits were made by 16 members of the SIS committee.
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page5
Following the site visits, the committee came together for a group discussion and vote on November 8,
2011. Of the 22 members in attendance, 21 voted for Skyward.
Ms. Pattenaude was in attendance and provided background information on the committee’s work and
process in choosing the Student Information System.
Mr. Littleford reported with Skyward, the District would receive one-on-one training from the company
and then, we would provide ‘Train the Trainer’ type inservices. Transition into the new program is
planned for next year. Plans are for the high school to begin scheduling with Skyward this spring.
Based upon the recommendation of Technology Director Mary Ann Pattenaude and from the vote of the
SIS Committee, the superintendent recommended that the Board of Education approve the purchase of
Skyward as the new Student Information System for Community Unit School District No. 1.
Mrs. Miller moved and Mrs. Coffey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Coffey, Daniels, R. Miller, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
2011-2012 School Improvement Plans/District Improvement Plan
The 2011-12 School Improvement Plans and the District Improvement Plan were provided for the board
members review. Mr. Littleford reported that this was the third month in a row in which Assistant
Superintendent Todd Vilardo and staff have presented Academic information. In September, Mr. Vilardo
and the building principals gave AYP information. In October, school report cards were addressed and
this month, the Board is receiving school improvement and district improvement plans for review.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the 2011-2012
School Improvement Plans and the District Improvement Plan as presented.
Mrs. Miller moved and Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Daniels, Coffey, R. Miller, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:02pm, Mrs. Miller made a motion to adjourn from the board meeting. Mrs. Coffey seconded the
motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Coffey, Daniels, R. Miller, Hutti, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Jason Coe
President, Board of Education
Tim Hutti
Secretary, Board of Education
RegularMeetingMinutesof11/16/2011
Page6